Monday, January 16, 2012

Ghost Town

 Castle Dome, AZ

Silver mining city of Castle Dome, Arizona established in 1864.

Castle Dome Mines Museum and Ghost Town is dedicated to preserving Arizona's rugged history with over 50 buildings furnished and equipped as it was in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Castle Dome was a bustling western town growing to 4,500 residents in the late 1880s when it became the mother lode of silver.

Ore was hauled in the largest wagons ever built in the world at that time drawn by a team of 20 horses or mules for 20 miles to the Colorado River.  The ore was then loaded onto river boats for shipment to San Francisco.  Lead ore was mined for bullets during WWI and WWII.  Mining continued until the 1970s when the value of silver plummeted.




Belly up to the bar, cowgirl.




A, b, c, d, e, f, g...



Flora Temple's home.  She lived in Castle Dome City until she was 92.  By that time electricity had reached the city.






The forge at the Blacksmith Shop.



 
As I wander around this desolate ghost town, all that is left here are the possessions belonging to the souls who once lived and worked here.  I am reminded of a time when my soul was this desolate before I was irresistibly drawn by God.  My heart and soul were a ghost town before I knew Jesus.  I was without hope.  Jesus now dwells in me and because of Him new life and hope have sprung up in this former ghost town.



Jail cell.


"I'm innocent.  I swear!  You've got the wrong cowgirl."


Stage Depot






The Mercantile



A little girl's doll and boots.  I wonder who she was and what became of her.  This is all the memory that is left of her.  God remembers who she is.









A picnic lunch with G and Richard and Donna.


No trespassing at the mine! Two filled graves and one empty grave waiting to be filled.  The grave markers read:
1st Trespasser:  Shoot first and ...What? 
2nd Trespasser:  "But I caint read."  Oh well... 
3rd Trespasser:  Next..?



Miner's bunkhouse

Miner's bath house



Miner's Graveyard